Rainy Days ▸ BUGHEAD

chapter sixteen

Cheryl led us to a circle that had been made by everyone else prior. The feeling of fear trembled over me as Cheryl sat us down. I could still not believe that this was happening. I could not believe I actually went through with this dumb idea. I couldn't believe I was doing this all for Betty.

Love makes you do crazy things.

A few moments after sitting down Cheryl walks into the middle of the circle. In her hand she was now holding a large bottle of rum. I sighed to myself, this should be fun.

"Gather round friends, as it's now time for another game of truth or dare." Cheryl tells the group.

Everyone around begins to clap, expect me. I didn't know why everyone was clapping, to me this was just another one of Cheryl's dumb witted schemes. Was everyone else so blind to it?

"The rules are simple," Cheryl says after the applause dies down. "No changing your selection, one it's said it's set in stone. No chickens, you must complete the question or dare. And if you fail to follow the rules," Cheryl paused to hold the bottle of rum higher. "Its rum time."

As she circled to show it, everyone gasped, like it was some sort of surprise. Haven't these people met Cheryl before? Now I've never played truth or dare with her, but I'm not stupid. This was truly gonna be agony to be apart of.

"Now," Cheryl went on. "I'll spin the bottle to determine our first player."

Cheryl placed down the rum bottle. Flicking it, the bottle went circling around. It felt like one of those dumb kissing games middle schoolers played long ago. Yet at the same time, it had that wicked element to it.

Soon the bottle stopped, landing directing one someone.

Betty.

"Alright Betty looks like you're up first." Cheryl said, one corner of her mouth going in an upwards direction. "Truth or dare?"

The drunken Betty, stood puzzling. You could tell her mind was all over the place, as she stood there thinking for a long time. Each second feeling longer than the next. This was making me nervous.

"Truth." Betty said after the pause.

Cheryl wicked smile grew so it was now apparent. "Where is Polly? I know you know where she is, I listened into your little sweet talk with Jughead."

I felt my fists tighten. Cheryl did not just ask that. I wasn't gonna let her get away with that. I wasn't gonna let Cheryl ruin this.

"Okay that enough." I said standing up. "You leave Polly out of this."

Cheryl came closer to me. "Excuse me, did you just give me sass?"

"Damn right I did." I answered.

Cheryl's face soon became as red as her hair. I must have pissed her off a good amount, I had never seen Cheryl this mad before. And trust me, I've seen her mad more times than can be counted.

"Oh no you didn't just say that." Cheryl said more calmed than expected.

"Well I did." I responded. "What are you gonna do?"

"Leave." Cheryl whispered in angrily tone.

"Gladly." I said. "And I'm taking Betty with me."

"Go ahead, I have other ways to find Polly." Cheryl answered.

I take Betty's small hand, and grab it tight. I run her out of the party, without looking back. We run outside and I begin walking towards Betty's house.

"Juggie!" Betty called out from behind me.

"Yeah?" I ask in return.

"I don't think I can walk anym-" Before Betty could finish her sentence she fell on the sidewalk. With that, it begins to pour rain, as if the mood wasn't gloomy enough.

I lift Betty up and carry her. I figured I would just walk her home like this, maybe put her to bed.

And thats how things worked out. It made for a sad uneventful ending of that night. Betty's mom let me in and let me tuck her into the bed.
But to end that night, I whispered something in Betty's ear. She didn't hear it but it made me feel something. And the words were...

"I love you."